Vehicle direction signal



Feb. 22, 1938. s, F. ADAM I 2,109,408 f VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNAL I Q iFiled Jan. 12, 1937 4 Shee tsSheet l 89 I a w- -m-@ I J INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Feb.'22, 193s. s, F ADA 2,109,408

VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed Jan} 12, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill6004770 Q 7 INVENTOR. BY ifizzzzeflfldamq Feb. 22, 1938. s. F. ADAM2,109,408

VEHICLE DIRECTION SIGNAL Filed Jan. 12,.1957 4 Shefs-Shet 3 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VEHICLE DIRECTIONSIGNAL Louis, Mo.

Application January 12, 1937, Serial No. 120,208

6 Claims.

This invention relates to automobile direction signals, although notnecessarily limited thereto.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a signal devicewhereby traffic direction signals such, for instance, as left-turn andright-turn signals are automatically displayed at the rear, or at thefront and the rear of a motor vehicle upon slight turning movement ofthe steering post of the motor-vehicle.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a maincircuit, a pair of signal lamp operating circuits, and a switchresponsive to turning movement in either direction of the steering postof a motor vehicle from neutral position for connecting the signaloperating circuit, indicative of the direction of the turning movement,with the main circuit.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a signaldevice, as stated in the preceding paragraph, and, wherein a circuitbreaking device is in the main circuit, and, wherein the main circuit isbroken when the steering wheels of a motor vehicle are in straight awayposition and remains broken regardless of the turning movements of thesteering post until the foot accelerator of anautomobile is released offoot pressure to close-the main circuit.

A still further object of the invention resides in a. switch between themain circuit and the signal operating circuits, which'is responsive tomovement of a steering post for selectively connecting the signaloperating circuits with the main circuit.

A still further object of the invention resides in means automaticallyrendering the circuit breaker inoperative and the main circuit open, andclosing the main circuit through the circuit breaker by means responsiveto the release action of a foot accelerator of a motor vehicle.

A still further object of-the invention is the provision of a traflicdirection signalwhich possesses advantages in points of simplicity andefficiency, and, at the same time proves itself comparativelyinexpensive in cost of manufacture.

,.With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of partshereinafter more fully described and finally pointed out in the claimshereto appended.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification, wherein like characters-of reference denote similar partsthroughout the several views: 7

Fig. 1 is a view partly diagrammatic, showing one embodiment of theinvention together with associated electrical connections organized toform the several electric controls necessary to meet the severalfunctions required when the invention is embodied in a form for use as aleft and right-turn signal system of an automotive vehicle, the maincircuit being shown as open.

Fig. 2 is a view, partly diagrammatic, showing the main circuit closed,and one of operating signal circuits closed.

Fig. 3 is a view of the signal instrument taken on line 3--3 of Fig.1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the steering post and slotted mastthrough which the steering post passes.

Fig.5 is a view of the instrument, steering post and mast looking indirection of the arrows 55 in Fig. l, which is indicative of the maincircuit being open.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, and taken on the same line as Fig.5, but showing the steering wheel post turned to the left for closingthe left signal operating circuit, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The signaldevice, in one embodiment thereof, consists of asuitablesupporting structure such, for instance, as a casing, orequivalent structure l, provided with a cutaway portion 2 on oppositewalls thereof. Apair of suitable clamping members 3 are hingedlyconnected, as at 4, to the casing adjacent the cutaway portions 2thereof, and, the clamping members are connected near their free ends bymeans of a suitable fastening device 5, such, for instance, as a bolt 6having a head i at one end thereof and securing nuts 8 carried by theopposite end thereof for the purpose of securely locking the instrumentcasing to a mast jacket or sleeve 8 through which a steering post 9passes. The mast jacket 8 is provided with a suitable transverse slotID, the purposeof which will be apparent hereinafter. The slot I0 isformed in the mast jacket, preferably, although not necessarily, nearthe lower end thereof under the engine hood of a motor vehicle.

As illustrated, I employ a suitable rotatable disk-like member II, whichis disposed within the casing I and provided with a transverse shaft l2journaled in'suitable bearings l3 in opposed walls of the casing l, and,in such relation to the cutaway wall portions 2 as to allow theperipheral edge portion of the disk-like member II to project beyond theedges of the cutaway portions 2 of the casing I so that the peripheralface of the disk-like member II, which is preferably provided with toothlike serrations l3, will frictionally engage or bite into the peripheralface of the steering post 9 to have positive driven A nal.

ing I, as at [1.

I8 has telescopic connection with the inner end contact therewith. Bythis arrangement, the disk-like member II is responsive to turningmovement of the steering post 9 in either direction from neutralposition. For instance, if the steering post 9 is turned to the right,the disklike member II is turned to the left,and viceversa.-

(Jo-operating with the rotatable disk-like member II, is a suitabletubular conductor I4 which is disposed in a suitable casing I5. Thecasing I5 is secured, as at l6, to one wall of the casing I and closesan opening in said wall. The casing I5 is insulated from said wall ofthe cas- A suitable insulating member of the tubular conductor I4 andthe inner end face of the insulating member I8 has positive ridingcontact with one of the side faces of the rotatable disk-like member II.To insure posi: tive riding contact, a suitable coiled spring I9 isdisposed within the switch casing I5 and exerts pressure against theinner end of the insulating member I 8 for forcing it into positiveriding contact with said face of the rotatable disk-like member II. Asuitable stem 20 projects from the outer end of the tubular conductor I4and passes through a suitable insulated opening 2| in the outer end wallof the switch casing I5. The stem 20 is provided with securing meanssuch, as a nut 22, to prevent longitudinal displacement of the conductorI4 relative to its casing I5. The insulated opening 2| is of suchdimension as to permit oscillating movement of the tubular conductor l4in response to turning movement, in either direction, of the rotatabledisk-like member II, which member is responsive to turning movement, ineither direction, of the steering post, as hereinbefore explained.

During oscillating movement of the switch conductor I4 in one direction,it contacts a suitable terminal contact 23 at the inner end of a turnsignal operating circuit A. The circuit A includes a conductor 24, and apair of direction signal lamps designated 25 and 26. Lamp 25 representsa front left-turn signal, and, 26 represents a rear left-turn" signal.The lamps are preferably secured in suitable lamp casings having glassfronts bearing suitable left-turn" indicia thereon such, for instance,as an arrow.

During oscillating movement of the switch conductor I4, in the otherdirection, the switch conductor l4 contacts a suitable terminal member21 at the inner end of a turn signal operating circuit B. The circuit Bincludes a conductor 28, and a pair of direction signal lamps 29 and 30.Lamp 29 represents a front right-turn signal, and, 30 represents a rearright-turn" sig- The lamps 29 and'30 are preferably secured in suitablelamp casings having glass fronts bearing suitable right-turn indiciathereon such, for instance, as'an arrow.

I also employ a main circuit C which leads from an ignition circuitD-provided with a battery d, and a switch d of an automobile to theswitch conductor I4. The ignition circuit is, of course, provided withthe usual key actuated switch, not shown, for starting and stoppingthevehicle motor.

In can-ying out the invention, I also employ a suitable circuit breakerin the main circuit C. The circuit breaker is illustrated, for instance,as including a 'pair of conductor fingers 3| and 32 insulated apart atone end thereof, and secured to a suitable support 33, with insulation34 therebetween. In this instance, a conductor ineluding a section 35 isconnected to the finger 3|, and another section 36 thereof leading tothe switch conductor I4 is connected to the con- 7 I and an opening in awall portion of the circuit breaker support 33. The wall of the circuitbreaker. support is suitably spaced from the wall of the casing I. Theouter end of the plunger stem 31 is provided with an insulating tip 38which is out of contact with the inner face of the circuit breakerfinger 3I when the main circuit is closed. The inner end of the plungerstem 31 is provided with a suitable head 39 with a coiled spring 40disposed between the head 39 and the inner face of the wall of, thecasing I. This arrangement holds the plunger stem 31 in its innermostposition and the breaker fingers in contact with each other, as ismanifest. The head 39 on the plunger stem 31 is thus in riding orsurface engagement with one face of the rotatable disk-like member I I.In order to force the plunger stem 31 outwardly to extended position toopen the circuit breaker and the main circuit, I provide the rotatabledisk-like member II, on one face thereof, with a suitable protuberance4|, and at such position thereon that protuberance M will force itselfunder the head of the plunger stem head 39 to move the plunger stem 3'!outwardly into its extended position for separating the fingers 3| and32 to open the main circuit C. This operation, however, it will beunderstood, only takes place if, and when the steering post 9 is turnedto such position as to bring the front wheels of an automobile intostraight away position, or, in other words, when the vehicle is movingin a straight path, or standing with the front wheels thereofstraightened out. As this operation takes place, it will be understood,1' provide means to lock the plunger stem 31 in its extended position,and,

this means includes a suitable locking member 42 which is pivotallyconnected, as at 43, to the casing I, adjacent the circuit breakersupport 33, andit is supported against the action of a suitable spring44. The locking device is provided with a lip 45, or equivalent element,which'is received in a peripheral notch 46 formed on the plunger stem 31when the plunger stem has been moved to its projected position forholding the circuit breaker separated to open the main circuit C. Whilethe circuit breaker is separated, it is, of course, realized that themain circuit C is open and the signal lamps are inoperative.

However, I employ means for releasing saidlocking device, and such meansincludes a suitable arm 41 disposed above a part .48 of the lookingmember 42, which is disposed above the plunger stem 31. The arm 41 is apart of a member 49 which is suitably mounted in a bearing suitablysupported by the dash of an automobile adjacent in l the plunger stem,thereby permitting the plunger stem 31 to return to its inner position,and, in so doing, closing the main circuit C which causes the signallamp to light in the operating circuit indicative of the direction ofturning of the steering post 9, such, for instance, as either right orleft. It will be observed, that in this embodiment of the inventionshown, the signal lamps will not light when the vehicle is moving in astraight path, and they will not light when turning until theaccelerator has been released during turning movements of the steeringwheel post if the circuit breaker has been separated.

It is to be clearly understood that a slight turning movement of thesteering post 9, in either direction, will render the switch conductorl4 responsive thereto for closing the signaloperating circuit responsiveto the direction of the turning movement of the steering post 9 when themain circuit is closed through the circuit breaker, and, that when thefront wheels of the automobile are in straight away position that bothoperating circuits are. open, as well as the main circuit due to thecircuit breaker fingers being separated. Once the circuit breakerfingers are separated; the signal operating circuits are inoperativeregardless of the turning movement of the steering'post until the footaccelerator is released for contacting the circuit breaker fingers toclose the maincircuit C.

The many advantages of the herein described invention will readilysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

From the foregoing description, it will be-apparent that the attentionof vehicular trafllc as well as the attention of pedestrians, will beattracted to the left and right turn signals. Generally speaking, owingto the. convenience, automatic features, and cheapness of my invention,it is a safety automobile signal, and, it is believed to be veryvaluable from this standpoint alone.

Although only a certain form of embodiment of the invention isillustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that I do notdesire to restrict, or limit myself to the very details of constructionshown and described, which is merely illustrative, it being obvious thatchanges not involving the exercise of invention, may be made withoutconflicting or departing from the spirit of the invention within thescope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle direction signal, in combination, a vehicle including asteering wheel post, a main circuit, a left hand turn signal operatingcircuit, a right hand turn signal operating circuit, a turn indicatinglamp on the vehicle in each turn signal opera-ting circuit, a rotatablydriven member peripherally contacting the steering wheel post anddirectly responsive to turning movements of the steering wheel post ineither direction, a protuberance on the rotatably driven member, movablemeans actuated by the protuberance on said rotatably driven member foropening the main circuit when the steering wheel post is in straightaway driving position only, means for locking the movable means to holdthe main circuit open, a switch member responsive to movement of therotatably driven member to connect the turn signal operating circuitindicative of the turning movement of the steering wheel post with themain circuit, an accelerator pedal, and means actuated upon relief ofpressure on the accelerator pedal for unlocking the movable means forclosing the main circuit after driven means for opening the switch inthe main circuit when the steering wheel post is in straight drive awayposition, means for locking the slidable means to hold said switch openregardless of the position of the steering wheel post, a pair of turnsignaloperating circuits indicative of the turning movements of thesteering wheel post, a lamp on the vehicle in eacn,turn signal operatingcircuit, a switch member in tha main circuit responsive to saidrotatably driven means to connect the turn signal operating circuitindicative of the turning movements of the steering wheel post with themain circuit, and means actuated upon relief of pressure on theaccelerator pedal to unlock the slidable means for closing the switch inthe main circuit to cause the lamp in the turn signal operating circuitindicative of the turning movement of the steering wheel post to becomeoperative until such time as the steering wheel post has been turnedback to straightaway driving position.

3. A motor vehicle direction signal having, in.

combination, a casing adapted to be attached to a steering wheel postsleeve having a slot therein, a rotatably driven member projectingthrough said slot for peripheral engagement with the steering wheel postand directly responsive to turning movements of the post, a maincircuit, a switch in the main circuit, a plunger spring controlled inone direction associated with the switch; means on the rotatably drivenmember to move the plunger against the action of the spring for openingthe switch when the steering wheel post is in straight away drivingposition, latching means for locking the plunger to hold the switchopen, means for actuating the latchthe steering wheel post has beenturned in either ing means to unlock the plunger to allow the switch toclose when the steering wheel post is not in straight away drivingposition, a pair of turn signal lamp operating circuits indicative ofthe turning movements of the steering wheel post, an oscillatory switchmember in the main circuit responsive to turning movements in eitherdirection of the rotatably driven member, a con-; ductor leading from asource of electrical supply connected to one side of the switch in themain circuit, a conductor leading from the other side of said switch tosaid oscillatory switch member for connecting the turn signal lampcircuit indicative of the turning movement of the steering wheel postwith the main circuit.

4. In a vehicle direction signal, a casing adapted to be attached to amotor vehicle steering wheel post sleeve having a slot therein, arotatably driven member projecting through said slot to peripherallyengage a steering wheel post, ro-

tatable in'said sleeve, and directly responsive to turning movements ofthe post, a main circuit,

a pair of separable contact fingers in said clrmain circuit when thesteering wheel post is in straight away driving position, means forlatching the plunger to hold said circuit open, means for unlatching theplunger to permit contact of said fingers for closing the main circuitwhen the steering wheel post is not in straight away driving position, apair of turn signal lamp operating circuits, a contact in each turnsignal lamp operating circuit, and a tiltable switch member in the maincircuit responsive to turning movements in either direction of therotatably dr en member for connecting the turn signal lamp circuitindicative of the turning movement of the steering wheel post with themain circuit.

5. In a direction signal for motor vehicles, in combination, a steeringwheel post, a main circuit, left, and right turn signal operatingcircuits, a lamp in each signal operating circuit and carried by thevehicle, a source of energy adapted to beplaced in communication withthe circuits, a member having peripheral contact withthe steering wheelpost and adapted to be rotated by movements of the post, a pair ofcontact fingers in the main circuit, means for separating the circuitswith the main circuit, means adapted to be operated by the rotatablemember for'holding the contact fingers separated when the steering wheelpost is positioned for straight away driving, and means for holding thecontact fingers separated, if so desired, regardless of the position ofthe steering wheel post,

6. In a vehicle direction signal, in combination, a steering wheel post,a foot accelerator pedal and a source of electrical energy, right andleft turn signal lamps carried by the vehicle, a main circuit, a rightturn signal lamp operating circuit, a left turn signal lamp operatingcircuit, a circular rotatably driven member in peripheral contact withthe steering wheel post, a protuberance on the rotatably driven member,slidable means actuated by the protuberance on the V rotatably drivenmember for opening the main circuit when the steering wheel post is instraight away driving position, means for locking the slidable means tohold the main circuit open, a switch member in the main circuit directlyresponsive to movement of the rotatably driven member to connect thesignal lamp operating circuit, indicative of the turning movement of thesteering wheel post with the main circuit, and means to efiect releaseof the locking means for closing of the main circuit when the steeringwheel post is in any position but straight away driving position, uponrelief of foot pressure on the foot accelerator pedal.

S. FENNER ADAM.

